Many people are seriously not making the most out of their basements. Basements don’t have to be creepy dark spaces for storage. When its potential is fully realized, a basement can become a great addition to your home.
Because basements are great at absorbing noise, they can be an ideal place to set up your home entertainment system. It can also serve as a great hangout place for your kids and their friends, giving them some privacy under the safety of your home.
The realm of possibility for what you can do with a basement seems endless. So, if you’re thinking about adding a basement extension to your home, here’s what you need to know.
Before you get your hopes up, you must first ensure that your property is suitable for a basement extension. As you’re going to be excavating below the house, you’ll need to ensure there is enough space to work with and that the ground below is structurally sound.
Homes with timber joists and floorboards tend to be easier to work with when excavating. However, sometimes, new steelwork on the walls may be necessary for extra support. Structural work in the adjoining dwellings’ foundations may also be required to ensure stability.
Builders also typically prefer to work with properties that have sufficient yard space around the structure. This is because it would be easier to carry equipment and materials into the basement space if they can get under the property from outside the house.
Natural light is essential in making a home feel cozier and brighter. Often, dark spaces can feel scary and depressing. And if you don’t get enough natural light into your basement, you risk underutilizing it because of its dark atmosphere.
To provide sufficient natural light in your basement, you can lower your garden or install external steps leading up to the ground floor. You can also try creating a lightwell that can serve as an emergency exit in case of fire.
Underground water in the basement’s surrounding area can exert pressure on the basement walls. When waterproofing is not done right, this underground water can find its way into your basement and cause flooding.
A land drain around the basement can help reduce the risk of failure by pumping out any water that gets into the basement. You can also create a cavity inside the wall so you can trap the water there. This is an effective way to manage moisture as you can redirect that trapped water into a drain to be pumped away.
Proper ventilation is another necessity that must not be overlooked. A well-ventilated basement is not just more comfortable, but it’s also a lot safer.
The easiest way to provide proper ventilation in your basement is to install windows that can open. However, if this is not possible, you can install a mechanical ventilation system instead.
A basement can be a great addition to your home. However, before you can start excavating, you must ensure that your property is suitable for a basement extension. Make sure the area is structurally sound and reinforce the foundations for better stability. Also, don’t forget to waterproof, ventilate, and get enough natural light into your basement.
Set up the basement of your dreams with the help of DL Nagel Excavating. With our extensive experience in mainline and facility pipeline, lease development, reclamation, and more, we can provide the best basement digging in Medicine Hat. We also provide gravel and equipment hauling across Southeast Alberta and Southwest Saskatchewan. Contact us today to get started!